Legalize CA Homebrew Events

Dear California AHA Member,

Your action is needed now to ensure passage of AB 2609, a bill that will allow homebrewer organizations to host homebrew events in the state of California like the Southern California Homebrewers Festival and the AHA National Homebrewers Conference.

Last year, the California legislature passed a well-intentioned bill, AB 1425, which had the unfortunate consequence of making it illegal for nonprofit homebrewer organizations to host homebrew events like the Southern California Homebrewers Festival and the AHA National Homebrewers Conference in the state of California.

If passed, AB 2609 will once again allow the California Homebrewers Association to organize the Southern California Homebrewers Festival, an annual event attended by 2,000 homebrewers that had to be cancelled this year due to the change in law. Without passage of AB 2609, the AHA may be forced to cancel or relocate the 2015 AHA National Homebrewers Conference planned for San Diego.

The bill was passed unanimously in a hearing by the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee, in which California Homebrewers Association President Christy Elshof and I testified. The full Assembly went on to pass the bill unanimously, sending it to the state Senate.

How Can You Help?

AB 2609 is scheduled for a hearing before the Senate Governmental Organization Committee on Tuesday, June 10. Please send a signed letter of support for AB 2609 via email or mail addressed to the Chair of the committee, Senator Lou Correa. If any of the committee members represent your district, please also send a letter addressed to your Senator.

You may use this sample letter (see below my signature) to customize your own letter of support. It is important to be polite and respectful in your message.

Thank you for your support of homebrewers. Your action could make the difference in whether or not this legislation becomes law. Please forward this message to other California residents and businesses that may be interested in supporting this bill.

Sincerely,

Gary Glass

Director

American Homebrewers Association

June 2, 2014

Honorable Lou Correa

Chair, Governmental Organization Committee

State Capitol, Room 5061

Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Chair Lou Correa:

Subject: Please support AB 2609

I am requesting your support for AB 2609 on behalf of California’s homebrewers.

Homebrewers love to share with and learn from one another. California’s homebrewers have been fortunate to have events like the Southern California Homebrewers Festival and the Northern California Homebrewers Festival. These events strengthen the homebrewing community and help individual homebrewers refine their craft.

Unfortunately, the passage last year of AB 1425 led to the cancellation of the 24th annual Southern California Homebrewers Association Festival scheduled for early May, and could threaten the 37th annual American Homebrewers Association National Homebrewers Conference planned for 2015. Passage of AB 2609 would restore the ability of homebrewer organizations to host events for homebrewers.

Please show your support for California’s homebrewing community by passing AB 2609.